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New York City Empire State Building Express Tickets
TourTruth score 6.0 out of 10
Average
204 reviews · Rated on 1 provider · How we score
- New York City
- 45 min
- Updated November 4, 2026
Skip standard entry lines, explore the Empire State Building’s exhibits, and take in sweeping New York views from the 86th floor.
About this tour
Rise above the bustle of Manhattan with Express entry to the Empire State Building, where the city opens into a sweep of rooftops, parks, and landmarks. This New York City Empire State Building visit pairs a faster route inside with time to explore the landmark’s story at your own pace.
Enter at the Observatory Entrance on West 34th Street and follow the red-carpet Express lanes. Along the way, explore interactive galleries, a two-story architectural model, and exhibits about the building’s history. Then head to the 86th-floor observation deck for panoramic city views. Select ticket options also include access to the 102nd floor. A downloadable multimedia app offers an audio guide in nine languages, along with videos, image galleries, quizzes, and maps of nearby points of interest. Before you leave, take in the building’s Art Deco lobby.
The New York City Empire State Building experience includes free Wi-Fi, and the building is wheelchair-accessible. Allow time for airport-style security, and consider visiting two hours after opening for the best experience. Choose your ticket option and see New York from one of its most iconic heights.
Highlights
- Skip standard entry lines with the Express entrance
- Explore immersive exhibits on the building’s history
- Admire panoramic views from the 86th-floor observatory
- Add access to the 102nd floor with select ticket options
- Discover the Art Deco lobby and architectural model
What's included
Included
- Express skip-the-line ticket
- Access to the 86th-floor observation deck
- Access to the 102nd floor, depending on ticket option selected
- Access to interactive galleries and the two-story architectural model
- Access to the Art Deco lobby
- Downloadable multimedia app with audio guide in 9 languages
- Free Wi-Fi in the building
- State-of-the-art air purification system
- Booking fees and sales tax
Ratings on each provider
The ratings and review counts each booking site shows for this tour.
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View on GetYourGuideGetYourGuide
4.54 / 5 · 204 reviews
What reviewers mention
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Important information
- All guests must pass through airport-style security
- Avoid bringing glass items, sports equipment, paint or markers, packages, or luggage
- Enter at the exclusive Observatory Entrance at 20 West 34th Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues
- Use the Express lanes marked by red carpet flooring and keep your barcoded ticket handy for scanning
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- Visiting two hours after opening is recommended for the best experience
- The building is wheelchair-accessible and permits service dogs and motorized and non-motorized wheelchairs
- Children under 6 enter free
Frequently asked questions
How long is the visit?
The listed duration is 45 minutes.
What does the ticket include?
The ticket includes Express entry, the 86th-floor observation deck, galleries, the architectural model, the Art Deco lobby, and a multimedia app with an audio guide in 9 languages. Access to the 102nd floor depends on the ticket option.
Where do I enter?
Use the Observatory Entrance at 20 West 34th Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, then follow the red-carpet Express lanes.
Is the Empire State building wheelchair-accessible?
Yes. The building is wheelchair-accessible and permits motorized and non-motorized wheelchairs and service dogs.
What items are not allowed?
Airport-style security applies. Avoid glass items, sports equipment, paint or markers, packages, and luggage.
How this score is calculated
This score is based on one provider. GetYourGuide rates it 4.54 from 204 reviews. We place that rating among all GetYourGuide ratings and weight it by its review count. If the tour is found on another provider later, both ratings are combined.
How the score works and rating distribution in New York City
- Each provider rating is turned into a percentile: the share of that provider's ratings it beats, weighted by review counts.
- Listings on different providers are combined in proportion to their review counts.
- Tours with few reviews are pulled toward the average until more reviews come in, so a handful of perfect reviews can't top the list.
- The result is shown from 0 to 10: this tour scores 6.0.
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How many tours in New York City have a provider rating at or below each value. The dashed line is this tour.
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- GetYourGuide
- Viator
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